Vertical Storage Bag Transport Coolers with Securing Straps

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for vertical storage bag transport coolers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a carrier device for liquids, the carrier device includes a body compartment; a lid; a strap configured to receive at least one vessel having an attachment loop, the strap comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end of the strap attaches to a first end of the internal face of the lid; the strap inserts through the attachment loop of the at least one vessel resulting in the at least one vessel being oriented vertically; and wherein the lid encloses an at least one opening of the body compartment while the at least one vessel is encapsulated by an at least one internal wall of the body compartment and an internal face of the lid, and is oriented vertically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The current application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. U.S. 63/202,617, filed on Jun. 17, 2021, the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to storage bags and more specifically to vertical storage bag transport coolers with securing straps.

BACKGROUND

Coolers are constructed to carry various items including (but not limited to) bottles, food items and other liquid vessels. For example, coolers may be an insulated container used to keep food or drink cool. Generally, coolers may also include a cooling mechanism (e.g., ice or gel packs) to help keep the contents inside stay cool. Coolers may be made of a variety of sizes and utilize various insulation techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present vertical storage bag transport coolers (may be referred to as “vertical storage coolers”) contain several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the present embodiments, their more prominent features will now be discussed below. In particular, the present vertical storage coolers will be discussed in the context of BM. However, the use of BM is merely exemplary and various other liquids may be utilized with vertical storage coolers as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the present embodiments provide the advantages described here.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization that in current transport storage coolers other than the present embodiments, the vessels contained within the transport storage coolers tend to fall over. This is especially common for flexible vessels, such as BM bags, that struggles to maintain its upright position. Even worse, when these BM bags topple over, the seal is often insufficient to maintain its seal, often resulting in spillage and rendering the BM unconsumable. The present embodiments solve this problem by utilizing a strap and a loop. The present embodiments thus advantageously enable vessels to maintain an upright position because these vessels are hung to the strap and maintains a direction parallel to gravity. The present embodiments provide these advantages and enhancements, as described below.

In a first aspect, a carrier device for liquids comprising a body compartment that has at least one internal wall, at least one external wall, and at least one opening, a lid that has an external face and an internal face, where the internal face comprises a first end and a second end, a strap configured to receive at least one vessel having an attachment loop, the strap comprising a first end and a second end, where the first end of the strap attaches to the first end of the internal face of the lid, the strap inserts through the attachment loop of the at least one vessel resulting in the at least one vessel being oriented vertically, and where the lid encloses the at least one opening of the body compartment while the at least one vessel is encapsulated by the at least one internal wall of the body compartment and the internal face of the lid, and is oriented vertically.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the strap comprises an attachment that further comprises a first attachment piece and a second attachment piece.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second end of the strap attaches to the first attachment piece of the attachment.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second attachment piece of the attachment attaches to the second end of the internal face of the lid.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first attachment piece of the attachment attaches to the second attachment piece of the attachment to form a closed loop of the strap and the internal face of the lid.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the lid is made using a thermally insulated material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the thermally insulated material is a fabric.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the thermally insulated material thermally insulated material is a rigid material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the body compartment is made using a thermally insulated material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the thermally insulated material thermally insulated material is a fabric.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the thermally insulated material thermally insulated material is a rigid material.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the strap is made using an elastic material designed to maintain its elastic properties in a freezing environment.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the attachment includes a button.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the at least one vessel is a sealable flexible bag.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the sealable flexible bag comprises a liquid compartment section and a lip section that is separated by a seal.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the attachment loop of the sealable flexible bag is a through-hole through the lip section.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, enclosing the at least one opening of the body compartment with the lid comprises using a zipper to seal the at least one opening.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the zipper comprises two parallel zipper rails wherein one parallel zipper rail is located around the outer parameter of the internal face of the lid and the second parallel zipper rail is located around the opening.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the first end and the second end of the internal face is in close proximity to the zipper rail of the internal face.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the carrier device maintains a three-dimensional structure while standing on its own weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious vertical storage coolers shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical storage cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a vertical storage cooler in an open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of vertical storage cooler in an open configuration containing breastmilk storage bags in a vertical position that are secured with a strap in a closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in a closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in an open configuration and more specifically in prior to looping the strap through breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in an open configuration and more specifically the strap looping through breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description describes the present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.

Turning now to the drawings, vertical storage coolers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The various embodiments of the present vertical storage bag transport coolers (may also be referred to as “vertical storage coolers”) now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features. In many embodiments, vertical storage coolers may comprise a body compartment and a lid. In various embodiments, the lid may include a securing strap (may also be referred to as “strap”) having two ends that may be attached to an internal face of the lid. In several embodiments, straps may be made using a flexible material that may be resistant to colder environments. In some embodiments, one end of the strap may be permanently fixed to the internal face of the lid and the second end may include a first attachment (e.g., a button, hook, etc.) that allows the strap to be attached, detached, and reattached to the lid via a second attachment (e.g., corresponding button, loop, etc.), as further described below. For example, the first attachment of the strap may mate to a second attachment that may be fixed to the internal face of the lid. In some embodiments, the second attachment may be permanently fixed to the internal face of the lid.

In many embodiments, the strap may be configured to loop through vessels (may also be referred to as “bags”) having attachment loops. In some embodiments, the vessels may be sealable flexible bags that may include a lip section and a liquid compartment that may be separated by a seal. In some embodiments, the lip may include a hole that is configured to receive the strap. For example, the strap may loop through the hole of the bag and may be attached to the internal face of the lid, and thereby making a closed loop with the strap and the internal face of the lid. In various embodiments, the closed loop may secure the looped vessels while maintaining a vertical position due to gravity acting on the vessel. In several embodiments, the weight of the liquid in the vessel may assist in the vessel(s) being stored vertically in the body compartment of the vertical storage coolers. In some embodiments, despite the orientation of the vertical storage cooler, the looped vessels may orient themselves to the vertical position. In a variety of embodiments, the vertical storage bags may also include a zipper to seal the lid to the body compartment. Vertical storage coolers with straps enabling vessels to maintain vertical positions in accordance with embodiments of the invention are further discussed below.

Vertical Storage Coolers with Straps

In many embodiments, the vertical storage coolers may include a lid, a body compartment, and a securing strap for vertically storing liquids such as, but not limited to BM. In some embodiments, the vertical storage coolers may also include thermally insulated material for temperature control (e.g., keeping stored liquids cool). In various embodiments, the body compartment may include a single opening that may be configured to be closed using the lid.

A perspective view of a vertical storage cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 . A vertical storage cooler 100 may include a lid 110 and a body compartment 120. The vertical storage cooler 100 may include an open configuration and a closed configuration based on the position of the lid 110. For example, in an open configuration, the vertical storage cooler 100 may expose the body compartment 120 for access to the interior of the body compartment 120, as further described below. In a closed configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 1 ), the lid 110 may close access to the interior of the body compartment 120. In some embodiments, the lid 110 may be sealed to the closed configuration using a sealer 130 such as, but not limited to, a zipper 130. In some embodiments, the vertical storage cooler 100 may be made using a fabric material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain an upright position. In some embodiments, the vertical storage cooler 100 is made from a rigid material.

In reference to FIG. 1 , the vertical storage cooler may also include carrying handle 112 that may be attached to the lid 110. In many embodiments, the carrying handle 112 has two ends. In some embodiments, the circumferential distance between the two points on which the carrying handle 112 may attach onto the lid 110 is no more the width of the lid 110. In some embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may be attached to the top of the lid 100. In various embodiments, the circumferential distance between the points on which the carrying handle 112 may attach onto the lid 110 is greater than the width of the lid 110. In some embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may be attached to the sides of the lid 100. The carrying handle 112 may be made using the same material as the body compartment 120 and/or the lid 110. In some embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may be made using a rigid material, while the lid 110 and/or the body compartment 120 may be made using a flexible material. In some embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may be made using a flexible material and the lid 110 and/or the body compartment 120 may be made using a rigid material. In some embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may be made from multiple materials, which may be a combination of various rigid and/or flexible materials. In various embodiments, the carrying handle 112 may have both of its ends fixed to the lid 110.

In further reference to FIG. 1 , the vertical storage cooler 100 may also include an over the shoulder carrying strap 122 that may include two ends. In some embodiments, the over the shoulder carrying strap 122 may be fixed to the body compartment 120. In some embodiments, an attachment 124 that further includes a first piece and a second piece that may be used to attach the over the shoulder carrying strap 122 to the body compartment 120. For example, the first piece of the attachment 124 may include a loop that is attached to the body compartment 120. In some embodiments, the second piece of the attachment 124 may include a loop that is capable of opening and closing. For example, the second attachment may include, but is not limited to, is a carabiner. The over the shoulder carrying strap 122 may be made from a flexible material. In some embodiments, the over the shoulder carrying strap 122 may be made from the same material as the body compartment 120 and/or the lid 110.

In further reference to FIG. 1 , the vertical storage cooler 100 may be a rectangular three-dimensional structure. In some embodiments, the vertical storage cooler 100, the lid 110, and/or the body compartment 120 may be cylindrical. In some embodiments, the body compartment 120 may include a flat-bottomed surface such that the vertical storage cooler 100 may be able to stand perpendicular to the surface on which the vertical storage cooler 100 rests.

A top view of a vertical storage cooler in an open configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 . A vertical storage cooler 200 may include a lid 210 that further includes a strap 240. In many embodiments, the strap 240 may include two ends that may be attached to the internal face of the lid 210. The strap 240 may be configured to thread through a loop of vessels that may contain BM, as further described below. The strap 240 may include an open and a closed configuration based on whether the strap 240 is attached to the lid 210, forming a closed loop between the strap 240 and the internal face of the lid 210. In the open configuration, the strap 240 may form an open loop with the internal face of the lid 210, which allows the strap 240 to thread through the loop of one or more vessels. In the closed configuration, the strap 240 may form a closed loop with the internal face of the lid 210 thereby securing the one or more looped vessels. In some embodiments, the strap 240 may be made using an elastic material. In some embodiments, the strap 240 may be made from an inelastic flexible material.

In reference to FIG. 2 , the strap may be permanently fixed on one end 230 and have an attachment on the second end 250. In many embodiments, the attachment 250 may further include a first and a second piece. In some embodiments, the attachment 250 may be, but not limited to, a button where the first piece of the attachment 250 may be a male piece and the second piece of the attachment 250 may be a female piece. In some embodiments, a male piece of the button may be attached to the second end of the strap 240 and a female piece of the button may be attached to the internal face of the lid 210.

In further reference to FIG. 2 , the internal surface of the lid 210 and the body compartment 220 may be made using a thermally insulated material. In some embodiments, the lid 210 and the body compartment 220 may be made using the same material. When the vertical storage cooler 200 is in a closed configuration, the internal space created by the lid 210 and the body compartment 220 may be lined with thermally insulated material and seal the contents from the external environment.

A front view of vertical storage cooler in an open configuration containing vessels in a vertical position that are secured with a strap in a closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 . In many embodiments, a user may access the strap 240 and may release the attachment to allow the strap to thread through the vessels 260. In some embodiments, a lid 210 may be secured to body compartment 220 using a sealer, such as, but not limited to, a zipper on the lid 232 and a zipper on the body compartment opening 234 to switch between the open and closed configuration. Typically, the strap 240 may loop through vessels 260. In many embodiments, vessels 260 may be, but not limited to, breastmilk bags where the breastmilk bag 260 may include a looping hole. In some embodiments, vessels 260 may be rigid liquid containers that may include loops. In many embodiments, while the vessels 260 may be attached to the strap 240, the lid 210 may close the body compartment 220, which may form the closed configuration that may use zippers 232 and 234.

A front view of breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 . In many embodiments, a bag 260 may comprise of a liquid compartment 262 and a lip 264. In many embodiments, the liquid compartment 262 and the lip 264 may be separated by a seal 268 which may have two modes, engaged and disengaged. For example, in the engaged mode, the seal may prevent liquid within the liquid compartment 262 from flowing into the lip 264. Furthermore, in the disengaged mode, the seal 268 may allow liquid from the liquid compartment 262 to flow into the lip 264. In many embodiments, an attachment loop 266 may be located on the lip 264 of the breastmilk storage bag 260. In various embodiments, attachment loop 266 may be, but not limited to, a hole located on the lip 264 that may be configured to receive the strap of the vertical storage cooler. In many embodiments, when the breastmilk storage bag receives the strap of the vertical storage cooler, the breastmilk storage bag may hang from a single point on the attachment loop that may result in the breastmilk storage bag to fall from its center of gravity and maintain a vertical position.

Although specific systems for vertical storage coolers using straps to allow vessels to maintain a vertical position are discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-4 , any of a variety of coolers utilizing straps to hold vessels upright can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Further, although straps are described above as being attached to the lid, in some embodiments, straps may be attached to the internal wall of the body compartment. In such embodiments, the lid may not open vertically, but open at a forward direction, and the strap may be attached to the body compartment on a ceiling side. Looping straps that are attached to the internal face of the lid that loops through vessels in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.

Looping the Strap Through the Vessel

In many embodiments, vertical storage coolers with straps include a lid and a body compartment where a strap is attached onto the internal surface of the lid. The strap is the mechanism that holds vessels in a vertical positioning. A close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in a closed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated on FIG. 5 . The perspective view illustrates a vertical storage cooler 500 in an open configuration with a strap 540 in a closed configuration. In many embodiments, an open configuration may have a lid 510 unsecured from a body compartment 520. In some embodiments, the strap 540 may be attached to the internal face of the lid 510 that may use a two-piece attachment 550 forming a closed configuration. In many embodiments, the attachment may be, but not limited to, a button where a first piece of the two-piece attachment may be attached to the strap 540 and a second piece of the two-piece attachment may be attached to the internal face of the lid. In various embodiments, the configuration of the lid 510 and the body compartment 520 may be independent of the configuration of the strap, where the strap may be in the closed configuration while the lid 510 and the body compartment 520 may be in the open configuration and vice-versa.

In further reference to FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the strap 540 may be made from an elastic material that may, when in a relaxed state, be shorter than the distance between where the strap 540 may be attached onto the lid 510 and the location of the second piece of the two-piece attachment. In some embodiments, when the strap 540 is in the closed configuration, the strap 540 may be mostly parallel to the internal face of the strap. In some embodiments, the strap 540 may be longer than the distance between where the strap 540 is attached onto the lid 510 and the location of the second piece of the two-piece attachment. In such embodiment, the strap 540 may remain relaxed despite being in the closed configuration and may form a U-shape from one end to the other.

A close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in an open configuration and more specifically in prior to looping the strap through breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated on FIG. 6 . The close-up view shows the vertical storage cooler 500 in an open configuration with a lid 510 and a body compartment 520 detached from each other. In many embodiments, a strap 540 may be in an open configuration as indicated by an unsecured attachment 550. In various embodiments, a user may hand thread the strap 540 through a vessel 560. In many embodiments, the vessel may be made from a flexible bag that contains a lip section 564, which may further contain a looping hole 566. In many embodiments, the user simultaneously may grab the strap 540 and the lip section 564 of the vessel 560 and may thread the strap 540 through the looping hole 566.

In further reference to FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the vessel 560 may be a rigid container that may contain a looping hole. In some embodiments, the vessel 560 may sit upright within the body compartment 520 while the user may thread the strap 540 through the looping hole 566. In other embodiments, the vessel 560 may not reach the bottom of the body compartment 520 and so the user may hold the vessel 560 while stringing the strap 540 through the looping hole 566, thereby may secure the vessel 560 to the strap 540.

In further reference to FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the vessel 560 may not be configured to receive the strap 540. In some embodiments, there may be another attachment that is attached to the vessel 560 that may chain link the vessel to the strap. In some embodiments, the chain link may be, but not limited to, a clip or a carabiner.

A close-up view of the vertical storage cooler in an open configuration with the strap in an open configuration and more specifically the strap looping through breastmilk storage bags in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated on FIG. 7 . The close-up view shows the vertical storage cooler 500 in an open configuration with a lid 510 and a body compartment 520 unsecured from each other with a strap 540 is in an open configuration with the strap 540 threaded through a looping hole 566 of a vessel 560. In some embodiments, a user may control the vessel 540 by securing a lip section 564 of the vessel 560. In some embodiments, the user may then secure the strap 540 to the lid 510 using an attachment and may form a closed loop configuration of the strap 540 to secure the vessel 560 to the lid 510.

Although specific elements of the vertical storage coolers were described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7 , any of a variety of coolers as appropriate to the requirements of a specific application can be utilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention. While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an example of one embodiment thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrier device for liquids, the carrier device comprising: a body compartment comprising at least one internal wall, at least one external wall, and at least one opening; a lid comprising an external face and an internal face, wherein the internal face comprises a first end and a second end; a strap configured to receive at least one vessel having an attachment loop, the strap comprising a first end and a second end, wherein: the first end of the strap attaches to the first end of the internal face of the lid; the strap inserts through the attachment loop of the at least one vessel resulting in the at least one vessel being oriented vertically; and wherein the lid encloses the at least one opening of the body compartment while the at least one vessel is encapsulated by the at least one internal wall of the body compartment and the internal face of the lid, and is oriented vertically.
 2. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises an attachment that further comprises a first attachment piece and a second attachment piece.
 3. The carrier device of claim 2, wherein the second end of the strap attaches to the first attachment.
 4. The carrier device of claim 2, wherein the second attachment attaches to the second end of the internal face of the lid.
 5. The carrier device of claim 2, wherein the first piece of the attachment attaches to the second piece of the attachment to form a closed loop of the strap and the internal face of the lid.
 6. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the lid is made using a thermally insulated material.
 7. The carrier device of claim 6, wherein the thermally insulated material is a fabric material.
 8. The carrier device of claim 6, wherein the thermally insulated material is a rigid material.
 9. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the body compartment is made using a thermally insulated material.
 10. The carrier device of claim 9, wherein the thermally insulated material thermally insulated material is a fabric.
 11. The carrier device of claim 9, wherein the thermally insulated material thermally insulated material is a rigid material.
 12. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the strap is made using an elastic material designed to maintain its elastic properties in a freezing environment.
 13. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a button.
 14. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the at least one vessel is a sealable flexible bag.
 15. The carrier device of claim 14, wherein the sealable flexible bag comprises a liquid compartment section and a lip section that is separated by a seal.
 16. The carrier device of claim 15, wherein the attachment loop of the sealable flexible bag is a through-hole through the lip section.
 17. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein enclosing the at least one opening of the body compartment with the lid comprises using a zipper to seal the at least one opening.
 18. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the zipper comprises two parallel zipper rails wherein one parallel zipper rail is located around the outer parameter of the internal face of the lid and the second parallel zipper rail is located around the opening.
 19. The carrier device of claim 18, wherein the first end and the second end of the internal face is in close proximity to the zipper rail of the internal face.
 20. The carrier device of claim 1, wherein the carrier device maintains a three-dimensional structure while standing on its own weight. 